Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

2.1 Standards of Debate

The Speaker outlined to Members his expectations regarding the nature and standard of debate in the Chamber and informed Members that he would write to them all in relation to this matter.

3. Members’ Statements

Under Standing Order 24A, the following Members made a statement to the Assembly:

Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mr Alan Robinson
Mr Nick Mathison
Ms Diana Armstrong
Ms Sinéad McLaughlin
Mrs Ciara Ferguson
Mr Phillip Brett
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Cheryl Brownlee
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Peter Martin

4. Speaker's Business (cont’d)

4.1 Todays Business

The Speaker informed Members that Minister Muir would respond to the motion on Justice and the Rule of Law on behalf of the Minister of Justice, that in the absence of the Minister for the Economy arrangements had been made to allow a junior Minister to respond to the motion on a Moratorium on Mineral Licensing, and that Pádraig Delargy would not be available speak to his Adjournment topic on the reinstatement of postal services in Foyle.

5. Ministerial Statement

5.1 Anti-Poverty Strategy

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, made a statement regarding the Anti-Poverty Strategy, following which he replied to questions.

6. Opposition Business

6.1 Motion: Housing and the Programme for Government

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the Programme for Government target to commence work on at least 5,850 new social homes by the end of this mandate; expresses regret that as little as 1,000 new social homes will be built this year; believes the Executive is failing to address the housing crisis; and expresses a lack of confidence in the Executive to deliver its Programme for Government targets.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment 1:

Leave out all after ‘this mandate;’ and insert:
‘acknowledges the Minister for Communities’ stated commitment to tackle homelessness and boost housing supply, including the introduction of the affordable rent scheme, the allocation of £10 million for the Loan to Acquire Move-on Accommodation, and the decision to allow the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to use its reserves to purchase properties for temporary accommodation; further acknowledges that, while these measures may offer some short-term relief, they are insufficient to meet the scale of need; notes with deep concern that, as of March 2025, approximately 49,083 households were on the social housing waiting list and that only around 1,000 new social homes are forecast for this year; further notes the warning from the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations that at least 2,200 new homes are needed each year, as set out in the Housing Supply Strategy; regrets the continued failure to provide sufficient funding for new social housing and to invest in the wastewater infrastructure needed to support development; laments the lack of progress on enabling the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to borrow to invest in its assets and assist in housebuilding; calls on the Minister for Communities to work with the Minister of Finance to expedite this at pace with HM Treasury; and further calls on the Minister for Communities to work with his Executive colleagues to urgently scale up housing delivery, including securing and ringfencing additional capital investment.’

Mr Andy Allen
Mr John Stewart
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Colin Crawford

Amendment 2:

Leave out all after ‘year;’ and insert:
‘and calls on the Minister for Communities to bring forward a costed housing action plan to detail actions agreed by the Executive to reduce the social housing waiting list and meet new build targets.’

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Ms Sian Mulholland
Mr Andrew McMurray
Mrs Michelle Guy

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, Amendment 1 was made (Division).

As amendment 1 was made, the question was not put on Amendment 2.

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried.

The sitting was suspended at 1.00pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, the Speaker in the Chair.

7. Question Time

7.1 Health

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Health, Mr Mike Nesbitt.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

8. Opposition Business (cont’d)

8.1 Motion: Valuing the Arts

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the strategic importance of the arts and creative industries, including the significant role they play in our economic output and societal wellbeing; regrets the challenging situation facing the sector as a result of the current funding structure, the significant funding cuts and the siloed departmental working; notes the absence of the arts in the Programme for Government; and calls on the Minister for Communities to work with the Minister for the Economy to realise the full potential of the arts and creative industries by publishing a multi-year funding and delivery plan by October 2025 at the latest.

Leader of the Opposition

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

8.2 Motion: A Moratorium on Mineral Licensing

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses concern at the recent approval of seven new mineral prospecting licences; regrets that the decision has been made, despite strong public opposition and likely significant environmental and social impacts; recognises that the current regulatory framework for mineral licensing is not fit for purpose; calls on the Minister for the Economy to withdraw approval for these licences; and further calls on the Minister to place a moratorium on the granting of any new prospecting licences, or renewal of existing licences, until the regulatory framework for licensing has been reviewed and amended.

Leader of the Opposition

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

8.3 Motion: Justice and the Rule of Law

Proposed:

That this Assembly acknowledges that 26 years have passed since the publication of the Patten Commission Report on Policing in Northern Ireland; expresses regret that its vision has not been realised, due to insufficient resourcing, unresolved legacy issues and inadequate oversight; recognises the risks to public safety, tackling crime effectively and public confidence in the PSNI; and calls on the Executive to work with the UK and Irish Governments to commission an expert-led independent review to examine how rule of law institutions have functioned in Northern Ireland since the devolution of policing and justice.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment 1:

Leave out all after ‘Policing in Northern Ireland;’ and insert:
‘expresses regret that insufficient resourcing, coupled with the cost of unresolved legacy issues presents risks to public safety, tackling crime effectively and public confidence in the PSNI; notes the impact on victims, defendants and witnesses; stresses that since the devolution of policing and justice, there has been no meaningful progress in the administration of justice in Northern Ireland as outlined in the Criminal Justice Inspectorate 2024 report Transforming the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland A Strategic Overview; and calls on the Minister of Justice to explore with Executive colleagues the commissioning of an expert-led independent review to examine how rule of law institutions have functioned in Northern Ireland since the devolution of policing and justice.’

Ms Joanne Bunting
Mr Trevor Clarke
Ms Cheryl Brownlee
Mr Keith Buchanan

Amendment 2:

Leave out all after ‘Irish Governments’ and insert:
‘to ensure the necessary steps are taken so that the vision can be realised.’

Miss Deirdre Hargey
Mr Gerry Kelly

Motion not moved.

9. Executive Committee Business

9.1 First Stage: Adult Protection Bill (NIA Bill 16/22-27)

The Minister of Health, Mr Mike Nesbitt, introduced a Bill to make provision for the purposes of protecting adults from harm; and for connected purposes.

The Adult Protection Bill (NIA Bill 16/22-27) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

9.2 Further Consideration Stage: Agriculture Bill (NIA Bill 08/22-27)

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Agriculture Bill (NIA Bill 08/22-27).

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

The Agriculture Bill (NIA Bill 08/22-27) stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

10. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 4.13pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
17 June 2025

Northern Ireland Assembly

17 June 2025 – Division

Amendment 1: Housing and the Programme for Government

Leave out all after ‘this mandate;’ and insert:
‘acknowledges the Minister for Communities’ stated commitment to tackle homelessness and boost housing supply, including the introduction of the affordable rent scheme, the allocation of £10 million for the Loan to Acquire Move-on Accommodation, and the decision to allow the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to use its reserves to purchase properties for temporary accommodation; further acknowledges that, while these measures may offer some short-term relief, they are insufficient to meet the scale of need; notes with deep concern that, as of March 2025, approximately 49,083 households were on the social housing waiting list and that only around 1,000 new social homes are forecast for this year; further notes the warning from the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations that at least 2,200 new homes are needed each year, as set out in the Housing Supply Strategy; regrets the continued failure to provide sufficient funding for new social housing and to invest in the wastewater infrastructure needed to support development; laments the lack of progress on enabling the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to borrow to invest in its assets and assist in housebuilding; calls on the Minister for Communities to work with the Minister of Finance to expedite this at pace with HM Treasury; and further calls on the Minister for Communities to work with his Executive colleagues to urgently scale up housing delivery, including securing and ringfencing additional capital investment.’

Mr Andy Allen
Mr John Stewart
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Colin Crawford

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 38

Noes: 8

AYES

Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Brett, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Ms Bunting, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Donnelly, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Ms Nicholl, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Beattie, Mr Stewart.

NOES

Mr Carroll, Mr Durkan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Mr O'Toole, Ms Sugden.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Carroll, Mr Durkan.

Votes cast by proxy:

Ms Nicholl’s vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.

The motion was carried.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Proxy Voting Notifications

In line with Standing Order 27A, Ms Kate Nicholl arranged for her vote to be exercised by a proxy (Ms Paula Bradshaw) during the period 31 March 2025 to 28 December 2025.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 17 June 2027.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Adult Protection Bill (NIA Bill 16/22-27)

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

For Information Only

SR 2025/111 The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

Data (Use and Access) Bill 2025 (Department of Finance)

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

SI 2025/678 The Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (Amendment) Order 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Northern Ireland Assembly Legislation:

Stages in Consideration of Public Bills

First Stage: Introduction of Bill.
Second Stage: General debate of the Bill with an opportunity for Members to vote on its general principles.
Committee Stage (Comm. Stage): Detailed investigation by a Committee which concludes with the publication of a report for consideration by the Assembly.
Consideration Stage (CS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, the details of the Bill including amendments proposed to the Bill.
Further Consideration Stage (FCS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, further amendments to the Bill.
Final Stage: Passing or rejecting of Bill by the Assembly, without further amendment.
Royal Assent.

Proceedings as 17 June 2025
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

Title &
NIA Bill Number First
Stage Second Stage Comm. Stage to Conclude Report Ordered to be Printed CS FCS Final Stage Royal Assent
Assembly Members (Independent Remuneration Board) Bill (NIA Bill 09/22-27) 04/02/25 17/02/25 01/04/25 08/08/25 13/05/25 03/06/25 16/06/25

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage